Why a smörgåsbord of interventions won't solve violence: an applied public health approach to violence reduction in Scotland

Abstract

This article is based on Turin Conference plenary speaker Will Linden's address. The author looks at the drivers of violent behaviour in Scotland. It is argued that violent incidents rarely emerge in isolation and they are often the result of a complex interplay of social, economic, political, and psychological factors. The author asserts that interventions focused on "fixing" the individual will have limited success without addressing the underlying causes of violence. A holistic approach to violence reduction utilising a public health methodology is advocated which focuses on data driven approaches which seek to address systemic issues rather than attributing blame to individuals. It is argued services require to be flexible and meet service users where they are in order to provide the support required.